USDA confirms second New World screwworm case in Texas, heightening outbreak fears

Federal agriculture officials have confirmed a second U.S. case of New World screwworm in Texas, raising alarm among ranchers and beef producers worried the parasite could spread farther across the state and beyond. The latest detection comes days after USDA first confirmed the pest in a Texas calf in Zavala County, according to the agency and reporting from Bloomberg.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the first confirmed case involved a with larvae found in its umbilical area, and officials said there had been no further detections at the time of that announcement. The parasite, which is known for infesting living tissue, is a long-feared threat to livestock operations and a major concern for cattle country.